[2025] Bon Odori songs every kid knows! A roundup of fun festival tunes
Bon Odori, a quintessential summer tradition! Festival stalls sell games and delicious food, making it hugely popular with kids.
Here, we’ll introduce a variety of wonderful Bon Odori songs—from tunes children already know to unique arrangements of J-pop and Western music.
Lots of new songs are appearing, too.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure about the dance steps—what matters is having fun.
Kids and adults alike, be sure to join in Bon Odori and make some great memories!
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[2025] Bon Odori songs that even kids know! A fun collection of festival tunes (41–50)
idol
Released as the opening theme for “Oshi no Ko,” YOASOBI’s song is striking for its lyrics that brilliantly depict both the light and the shadow of being an idol.
While harboring inner weakness and anguish, the idol maintains a godlike facade of perfection, and the song carefully explores that inner conflict along with the delicate nuances of the relationships surrounding them.
Many listeners will likely relate to the protagonist’s story of seeking true love and happiness—expressed through words like “lies” and “secrets.” Since its release in April 2023, the track has become a major talking point on music charts both in Japan and abroad, and it’s even been used as a Bon Odori dance song at events like the Kanda Myojin summer festival.
With its unique musicality and deeply evocative lyrics, this is a song you should definitely listen to during festival season.
Yagi-bushi
It is a Japanese folk song that originated mainly in the areas of Ashikaga City in Tochigi Prefecture and Kiryu and Ota Cities in Gunma Prefecture.
In Kiryu, the “Kiryu Yagibushi Festival” is held every August, featuring performances such as the Yagibushi dance and the Yagibushi ondo.
From kindergarten through elementary and junior high school, a gently arranged, child-friendly version called “Kodomo Yagibushi Odori” is also a popular tune nationwide.
Gujo-bushi Kawasaki
The Gujo Odori Bon dance in Hachiman-cho, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture.
It is one of Japan’s three major Bon dances and one of the three great folk songs.
Dancers perform to the musical accompaniment known as Gujo-bushi, a folk song.
The dancers wear a tenugui cloth over their heads, white yukata, and red sashes.
The footage shows “Kawasaki,” but there are ten other pieces: “Harukoma,” “Sanbyaku,” “Yatchiku,” “Kocho Kawasaki,” “Gengen Barabara,” “Neko no Ko,” “Sawagi,” “Jinku,” and “Matsusaka.”
Hattori-kun Ondo
From the ninja-themed anime Ninja Hattori-kun, we present the song Hattori-kun Ondo.
Ninja Hattori-kun is a Japanese gag manga in which Hattori leaves his village to continue his training in Tokyo, where he gets caught up in various incidents.
Let’s try dancing the Hattori-kun Ondo from the beloved national anime Ninja Hattori-kun.
The key points are its tune, which evokes an ondo performed at events like Bon Odori, and lyrics that weave in ninja-specific episodes!
Laughing out loud to the festival music
This is a song by King Cream Soda that was used as the opening theme for the anime Yo-kai Watch.
Yo-kai Watch is, as you know, very popular among children.
It’s not a traditional Bon Odori tune, but having a lively dance track like this might be fun too! The video we’re sharing is a choreography tutorial made for Bon Odori.
Be sure to use it as a reference when you want everyone to dance together.
It takes a bit of work to learn, but once you can dance it, I think even adults will have a great time with this song!
Hikonyan Ondo
Among Japan’s many regional yuru-chara mascots, Hikone City’s “Hikonyan” from Shiga Prefecture is especially popular.
It’s an adorable cat character wearing a samurai helmet modeled after Hikone Castle.
The bon-odori song for this character is “Hikonyan Ondo.” Its simple, gentle melody and lyrics make it enjoyable even for children.
The song cleverly promotes Hikone Castle while showcasing Hikonyan’s cuteness—a savvy little number.
I wonder if this track is played at Hikone City’s Bon Festival dances.
If you’re a yuru-chara fan, this is an absolute must-listen!
Santaro Ondo
Santaro Ondo, sung in AU’s Santaro Series commercials.
Kenta Kiritani, who plays Urashima Taro, performs the song, and following his previous hit Umi no Koe, it was released digitally in 2017.
Set to a classic Bon-odori-style melody, the lyrics sing about the three Taros from the commercials—Momotaro, Urashima Taro, and Kintaro.
Since it was frequently played in the ads, many children may already know it.
With call-and-response parts and an easy-to-sing tune, it’s perfect for singing and dancing along—have fun with it!